The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and additional disabilities that combine to at least 60 percent disabling. However, SMC based on aid and attendance is denied as there is no evidence of actual requirements for personal assistance from others.
The deciding factor: The January 2022 examination showed impaired gait and pain in lower extremities but did not indicate the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2024
- Citation
- A24060291
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A24060291.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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